Therapy system and method for treating and reducing risk factors associated with overweight and obesity

Abstract

A therapy system and method for treating and reducing risk factors associated with overweight and obesity in patients, especially children in a medical clinic setting having facilities for personal training of patients, and personnel including at least one physician who is also a certified personal trainer.

1 . A therapy system for patients for treating and reducing risk factors associated with overweight and obesity, comprising:
 a) a medical clinic having facilities for personal training of patients;   b) clinic personnel comprising at least one physician and at least one personal fitness trainer;   c) preliminary determination of a profile for each patient and periodic evaluation of each patient profile by the clinic personnel, including medical status, patient risk factors, physical fitness, and nutritional profile;   d) exercise and nutrition training tailored to the patient and the patient's profile; and   e) a preliminary patient goal tailored to the patient's profile, and adjusted periodically based on changes in the patient profile.   
   
   
       2 . The therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the patients are selected from the group consisting of children and adolescents, and the physician is a pediatrician. 
   
   
       3 . The therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the exercise training utilizes equipment selected from the group consisting of treadmills, stationary bicycles, weights, ellipticals, striders, steps, gliders, exercise balls, and trampolines. 
   
   
       4 . The therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the medical clinic is equipped with a stop watch for each patient, a heart rate monitor for each patient, a labeled disposable water bottle for each patient, and a clipboard to record each patient's exercise information. 
   
   
       5 . The therapy system of  claim 1 , wherein the medical clinic is equipped with standard physician equipment and supplies allowing basic medical evaluation and treatment of the patients before and during exercise. 
   
   
       6 . A method for treating and reducing patient risk factors associated with overweight and obesity, comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a medical clinic having facilities for personal training of patients;   b) providing personnel comprising at least one physician and at least one personal fitness trainer;   c) making a preliminary determination of a profile for each patient and periodic evaluation of each patient profile by the clinic personnel, including medical status, patient risk factors, physical fitness, and nutritional profile;   d) providing exercise and nutrition training tailored to the patient and the patient's profile; and   e) determining a preliminary patient goal tailored to the patient's profile, and adjusted periodically based on changes in the patient profile.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the patients are children and the physician is a pediatrician. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the exercise training utilizes equipment selected from the group consisting of treadmills, stationary bicycles, weights, ellipticals, striders, steps, gliders, exercise balls, and trampolines. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising calculating each patient's cardiovascular fitness and calculating the number of calories that each patient requires each day. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the medical clinic is equipped with a stop watch for each patient, a heart rate monitor for each patient, a labeled disposable water bottle for each patient, and a clipboard to record each patient's exercise information. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the medical clinic is equipped with standard physician equipment and supplies allowing basic medical evaluation and treatment of the patients before and during exercise. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising providing a contingency management contract to motivate the patient to exercise.